Syngigeim’s screams of exertion could be heard far throughout the Mist. If there were fellow adventurers in their homes, they would surely hear the sounds of effort and of steel mashing against wood. A methodical practice within rage, as she cleaved her axe within the dummy. Focusing...practising...honing her movements, her axe swings, and remembering...remembering...remembering…
Movement caught her eye. She looked up and saw a certain figure down the road. A slender, black-robed Elezen with jewellery as if they were the golden stars in the night sky. Urianger. Syngigeim sheathed her axe and gave a deep breath. In and out. Let the rage ebb out. Then she immediately smiled at him. “Urianger! Do what do I owe the pleasure?”
“Didst thou not proffer an invitation towards thine humble abode? I had some spare time and I wouldst take mine chance to gaze upon it with my own eyes.”
Syngigeim felt a slight blush creep up her face. She made those offers in a sort of testing-the-romantic-waters sense. Whomever she felt she might have something with, she would give them the opportunity to at least visit her one-on-one first. But it could just be very much a social call for him. It was something that she would bring up in time. “Well, uh, would you like some tea? I could serve it inside or outside, whichever you prefer.”
The weather was nice and warm in La Noscea but grey clouds marked the skies overhead. “Mistress Syngigeim, I would perchance be glad if you were to show me your home.”
Don’t overthink it Syngi. “Right this way then, good ser.”
One change of battle clothes into more casual attire and Syngigeim was off to set up the tea. She could see Urianger off of the corner of her eye, glancing at her bookshelf. He would have opinions about the novels I keep, she thought. Though knowing him, he would likely find her shelf of romance novels endearing.
“Tea’s ready,” Syngigeim said, bringing the tea to the table, and invited Urianger to the chair across from her.
“I thank thee for thine generous hospitality,” he said, sitting. He took a sip of the tea. “Ah Pixieberry Tea. A taste from the First, tinged with sweet memories.” He gave a small chuckle. “Have I told you how I partook of my tea?”
“No. But a pixie told me of your absolutely least favourite drink to have in all the world! I am pleased that by sweetening it up, it was made more palatable to you.” Syngigeim said, with an impish grin on her face.
Urianger laughed, a whole-hearted one that sounded throughout the room. “I must thank thee again for being so considerate of my tastes,” he said, still chuckling.
“No problem,” Syngigeim said, taking a sip of her own tea.
For a few moments, the two sat in silence, partaking of the tea, Urianger mildly laughing every so often. It was quite a pleasant one. Syngigeim didn’t think she heard it too terribly often.
“One doth sometimes forget that our esteemed champion is as skilled as a cook as she is with the blade,” Urianger finally remarked. “Thy creation is full-flavoured, and strikes the perfect balance between tanginess, sweet, and the taste of the tea itself. Thou art truly a woman of many skills.”
“Oh please,” Syngigeim said, lightly blushing and turning a bit to the side.
“Culinary, and home decorating alongside the arts of war and succor. And…” he let the word hang for a bit, “...you seek even further skills. The axe, I noticed?”
“Oh. Yeah,” Syngigeim said. She was wondering when he would bring that up. “I’m feeling somewhat listless in this time between conflicts and so I’m reassessing my role, so to speak.” Urianger nodded at this, a silent confirmation to continue on. “I’m thinking about what I want most of all when it comes to battle and what I want is to protect the things I hold dearest,” she continued, clutching her cup closer to her. “And when you first remarked about the Eighth Umbral Calamity, I knew of someone who would have relished a world gone wholly into the ‘rule of might.’” She grimaced at that mere mention of him. “And I can’t let that happen. He is the one single damned person who can drag this world by his own hands into that Calamity. And I refuse to let him even dare think about hurting anyone I care for.”
“The fire in your eyes speaks true of thine words,” Urianger said. “I would remind thee, however, that such thinking was near your exact reasoning for taking the Lightwardens’ burden upon thyself. Remember thine compatriots, both of the Scions and your League and stand strong with them.”
Syngigeim nodded. “Of course. Though I will say that is sort of funny hearing that come from you.”
“In that sense, we are not dissimilar, are we not?”
Syngigeim had no rebuttal to that. They were both willing to do whatever to protect and ensure the future for those they cherished, even go it alone and keep false pretences up. It was a fine line to tread but at least this time, their paths were straightforward. Stop the end of the world from happening. And she would be willing to carve out that brighter future.
